The Danger of Repeated Omissions

Friday, April 08, 2022 at 09:04 AM ET

Verified

A Piper Turbo Lance, like the one pictured here, experienced trouble on the way to Pensacola, Florida in 2020. [File photo: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

A Piper Turbo Lance crashed fatally after a catastrophic engine failure, which the NTSB determined was caused by severe oil starvation due to a 60% obstructed oil suction screen.
The accident's probable cause was identified as the mechanic's repeated failure to clean the critical oil suction screen for over a decade, despite persistent reports of low oil pressure from the owners.
Although the pilots handled the emergency professionally, including reporting an inflight fire, they ultimately lost control and perished, highlighting the grave consequences of neglected essential maintenance.

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On a clear June afternoon in 2020, two senior Navy pilots left Jasper, Alabama (KJFX), headed for Pensacola, Florida, 200 nm distant, where they were based. They were flying a Piper Turbo Lance of which the left seat pilot was a co-owner. After a 30-minute cruise climb, the Lance leveled out at 15,000 feet.

About nine minutes later, the pilot asked Atlanta Center for a descent to 10,000, which was granted. After another minute, he reported an “engine fluctuation” and requested a further descent and deviation to Selma (KSEM), which was close by. Center cleared him to 5,000. Shortly afterward, the pilot, his voice tense but calm, declared an emergency.